Stilled

Written in response to the prompt "write a poem with the same opening and closing line such that the connotations thereof reverse over the course of the poem".

Alone I am; alone I cry.

All others in the earth now lie,

All resting in the soft embrace

Of earth below this tortured place.

The chorus, chanting night and day

E'er in my ear is gone away;

The voices, stilled, have joined the dead,

And seek me no more on my bed.

My wings unbroken, now I fly;

Alone I am, no more to die.

Author's Note

Written primarily for my own amusement.

Reviews

[Trigorin]

Pretty good effort, and I think you achieved what you set out to accomplish. I'd consider replacing the 'e'er' in line 6 with just a plain 'ever', since the contraction doesn't really add anything to the poem. Alternatively you could add more antiquated contractions in that manner, but I think that would detract even more from the piece. Your piece has a solemn quality to it, and it was interesting to read, but short enough that it didn't take up a great deal of my time and attention. Well done.